Scored a fantastic whale show as three males battled over a female. We followed them and got treated to numerous spy hops and males battling over the females. We had some INSANE breaches right in front of the boat.

On the way back we ran into a pod of Dolphins and they were leaping all around us!

We were able to get all the way to Hanakoa Valley. The winter swells continue to reduce in size and the winds are changing. I feel summer right around the corner!

Another outstanding day of whales. We witnessed a female thrashing her pectoral fins on the water as a huge……I mean HUGE, male breached out of the water as he tried to entice the female with his strength. Lots of mothers and newborn calves gave us a great show as they swam all around us.
We had an added bonus as we witnessed the longest waterfall on Na Pali,, from Mt. Waialeale. Dropping down 4,000 feet with full force as it makes it’s way into the ocean right in front of us.

The winds have died down and the surf has begun to soften allowing us to venture further north. We were able to get all the way to Kalalau Valley. A pod of 3 whales circled the boat several times. They swam right under the boat and stopped to check us out!! It was CRAZY!

A small male spy-hopped (stuck his head out of the water to look at us), right next to the boat. This was a rare encounter that we live for.

Overall a truly magical day as the whales surrounded us with their gentle grace and beauty.

Another day of touring the Na Pali and whale watching, and of course, it is another beautiful day. We encounter a huge herd of spinner dolphins on our way out by Targets. They are having fun and riding the bow of the boat and spinning with delight.

Not to be disappointed today we find two whales that must have an affinity to humans, going under the boat and sitting there watching us (“people watching”).

Check out an article about Na Pali Riders’ whale watching tours in the Honolulu Advertiser on Sunday, February 8, 2009.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009902080333

Kauai Whale Watching :: Double Whale Breach!

A beautiful day but definitely chilly as the temperature was down in the low 60s. The sun was coming up and it promised to be a great day. Going out we didn’t see any whales, so headed out quickly to the Napali Coast. The lighting was spectacular and the swell was down so we were able to get up close and personal with the Napali. On or return we encountered several whales and I was able to capture a dual breach as one whale breached in the foreground while another whale breached behind. We had several other encounters, the most powerful one was where four whales went directly under the boat and surfaced off the side of the boat.

Headed out to the Na Pali Coast this morning looking for a mother and calf for an early morning feeding. We found just what we were looking for and slowly approached and cut engines hoping that they would come our way. They were moving towards us and we were able to get a good look at mom and baby. After awhile of being awed by the two of them we continued on to the Napali. The seas were a little bumpy but the northwest winds that were predicted didn’t really materialize, so we continued and were treated to the magnificence of the Na Pali Coastline. We came across several whales on our return and were treated to a few slow tail submersions (deep dives).

We got the best whale show of the season today. We saw a whale breaching in the distance for what must have been 15 breaches in a row. After the jumping show, he swam towards the boat, went under us, and while under the boat he turned on his back as if waving good bye, and then he was gone. Today’s photos are amazing.

Today started out as another great day with a beautiful sunrise. We headed north to the Na Pali and saw a mother with her calf that looked to be only about 3 days old. They cruised around the boat for awhile the mother seemingly telling her calf all about us and to be careful around boats.

We headed up the Na Pali and saw the morning sun cresting above the pinnacles and the waterfalls ending up into the great Pacific. Heading back we encountered more humpbacks and were treated to a show once again.

We were able to capture our best footage yet on Humpback whale behavior. Thanks to photographer Bill Crane for doing such an excellent job. The whales are very active from Jan. – Mar., so this is the time to get the best whale watching in while you’re visiting Kauai.